allergy

(ăl′ər-jē)

n.pl.aller·gies

1. A condition in which exposure to a substance, such as pollen, latex, animal dander, or a particular food or drug, causes an overreaction by the immune system that results in symptoms such as sneezing, itching, rash, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

allergy

[al′ərjē]

Etymology: Gk, allos, other, ergein, to work

a hypersensitive reaction to common, often intrinsically harmless, substances most of which are environmental. More than 50 million Americans have allergic reactions to airborne or inhaled allergens, such as cigarette smoke, house dust, and pollens. Symptoms of mild allergies, such as those associated with rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and urticaria, can be suppressed by antihistamines, with glucocorticoids administered as supplements to primary therapy. Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis and angioedema of the glottis, can cause systemic shock and death and commonly require immediate therapy with subcutaneous epINEPHrine or IV steroids, such as dexamethasone. See also allergic reaction, allergy testing. allergic,adj.

al·ler·gy

(al'ĕr-jē)

1. Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) resulting in a marked increase in reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes resulting in harmful consequences. See also: allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, immune

2. That branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic manifestations.

3. An acquired hypersensitivity to certain drugs and biologic materials.

[G. allos, other, + ergon, work]

allergy

Hypersensitivity to body contact with a foreign substance (an ALLERGEN), especially grass or tree pollens, foods, dust, mites or certain metals such as nickel. The effect may take several forms, including weals (URTICARIA), DERMATITIS, ASTHMA or hay fever (ALLERGIC RHINITIS). Allergy is mediated by the E class of antibodies (IgE). An allergic response implies that there has been a prior contact with the allergen during which the immunological processes leading to the hypersensitivity have occurred. Susceptibility to allergy is often of genetic origin. The term derives from the Greek allos , other and ergon , work. See also ALLERGIC DERMATITIS.

allergy

the overreaction of the IMMUNE RESPONSE of the body to minute traces of foreign substances (antigens). The reaction is usually visible in the form of rashes, itching, breathing difficulties, etc. Many of these symptoms can be attributed to specific antigens; for example in hay fever, ANTIBODIES react against pollen (antigen) and cause local damage with the release of HISTAMINE. Antihistamine drugs are one method of counteracting the effects of histamine.

Allergy

Altered body reaction, usually hypersensitivity, as a response to exposure to a specific substance.

allergy

an immune response induced by exposure to an allergen causing a harmful hypersensitivity reaction (allergic response) on subsequent exposure. See alsoimmunity.

allergy

acquired or induced hypersensitivity; after an initial non-reactive exposure to an allergen, the individual shows a hypersensitivity reaction at all subsequent exposures; re-exposure to the specific allergen evokes a predictable reaction within minutes or hours; acquired hypersensitivity to certain drugs and biological products may predict anaphylaxis at a subsequent exposure

allergy

A state of hypersensitivity induced by re-exposure to a particular antigen (called allergen), usually environmental, such as pollens, foods, microorganisms and drugs. Seeallergic conjunctivitis; hypersensitivity.

al·ler·gy

(al'ĕr-jē)

1. Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen) resulting in a marked increase in reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, some-times resulting in harmful immunologic consequences.

allergy (al´urjē),

n a hypersensitive reaction to an allergen; an antigen-antibody reaction is manifested in several forms–anaphylaxis, asthma, hay fever, urticaria, angioedema, dermatitis, and stomatitis.

Manifestations of allergies.

allergy, cross-reactive,

n a condition in which a patient allergic to one medication will experience an allergic reaction to all other medications and their derivatives (i.e., cross-sensitivity between penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins and carbapenems). See also resistance, cross.

an allergy with a hereditary predisposition. The tendency to develop some forms of allergy is inherited, but the specific clinical form is not. IgE, formerly called reagin or reaginic antibody, may be involved. See also atopy.

induced allergy

allergy resulting from the injection of an antigen, contact with an antigen, or infection with a microorganism, as contrasted with hereditary allergy.

a hypersensitivity to the milk protein, α-casein. Signs, varying from urticaria to anaphylaxis, have occurred in Jersey cows when milk escapes from the udder into the bloodstream during the drying off period.

physical allergy

a condition in which physical agents, such as heat, cold or light, trigger an allergic response.

Patient discussion about allergy

Q. ALLERGIES what are they,who gets them,are they caused by pollen and food?

A. Allergy is the exaggerated and out-of-place reaction of the immune system to external substances or stimuli that are not harmful to the body, so the reaction actually damages the body instead of helping it.

The may be pollen and foods, as well as insect stings, drugs and almost any other substances.

You may read more here:www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.htmlhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy/AA99999

Q. what is the most common allergy? is it dust allergy?

A. thanks, I've heard of a new allergy treatment and trying to learn some more about the different kinds...

Q. what are the symptoms of Allergy?

A. from you question i understand that you think you might developed an allergy. so here is a web page with couple of videos explaining about allergies:http://www.healthline.com/video/allergies

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